The Price is WHAT?

When Quinnipiac University students hear the word "organic" they usually see dollar signs. This common conception is one that has sent many students to the large chain grocery stores such as Stop & Shop and Shaws located in Hamden, CT. According to price comparisons on similar items, large chain grocery stores do not offer the best buy. The best buy is at "Your Neighborhood Grocery Store", Trader Joe's, just a few miles down the road in Orange, CT.

Matthew Wellington has been living in Hamden as a student for two years. "I usually go to Shop & Stop and spend like 200 a month. I eat out a few times a week and it can be expensive."

Trader Joe's is a smaller chain grocery store specializing in natural, mostly organic food bought directly from retailers whenever possible, according to their website. The chain is located in CA, the pacific Northeast, East Coast, Midwest, Southeast and Southwest. They offer lower prices on more natural, organic foods. Although the stores are smaller than those of the large chain stores, they offer all the basic foods as well as a large selection of frozen entrees.

Students at Quinnipiac and other colleges in the area are required to live off campus in their senior year. This causes the students to loose the option of having a school meal plan at the campus cafeteria. These off-campus dwellers are now on their own when it comes to cooking meals. Edar Bennett has lived off campus for his senior year. "I would say I spend 300 to 400 dollars a month, which is probably because I eat out all the time.

As indicated in the chart, Trader Joe's offers prices which are lower in most main categories, dairy, meat, fruits and vegtables. The frozen entrees and prepared dinners that they offer are also cheaper than most prepared dinners that are sold at the larger grocery stores and according to reviews on websites are well liked by consumers.

Although Trader Joe's may not be the closest choice for the Quinnipiac student, it does have the lowest prices around. When asked if he would make the trip Bennett figures shopping closer to home is more convenient for him. "Probably not, when you think about, that's only like $15 a week, not worth it for a quick trip."

For some other students that $15 may be the difference between going out one night or staying in. For others the quality may be more important and Trader Joe's offers mostly organic and natural foods that are very popular with younger, health-conscious students. The 20 minute drive to Trader Joe's could end up saving the savvy shopper upwards of $100 a month on groceries.


Directions to Quinnipiac's Local Trader Joe's:

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